Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am trying to determine the best place to locate my axle.
The main frame is 5' wide and 8' long. The tongue is 5' 7".
The overall length is 13' 7".
Currently, I am planning to locate the axle 5' 4" from the front edge of the frame or 10' 11" from the ball, this leaves 32' to the tail of the trailer.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to this location.

Any specifications on the axle that I need?
My Brother-In-Law works for a trailer parts supply house and he is suggesting an axle that is over rated for this type build. He wants me to use a 3,500lb. axle with elec brakes. I told him that the weight will only be between 800 and 1500 lbs., and that I thought I would need no more than a 2000 or 2500lb. axle.

What are the drawbacks to an over rated axle?

Thanks Droppers!

Bandit - When I was in the paper design stage I realized that I could not balance the trailer precisely. I wanted to be able to balance each trailer according to the equipment on it. Therefore, I added a 1/4x2x2 angle parallel to the side rail. Find the balance point after the trailer is finished and the axle/fenders can then be installed. The numbers, of course, are only relative to AKTD's, but I hope you get the idea. The angle could be rotated 90* if you don't have access from above (floor). And one must keep in mind the door location. Fred

Bandit wrote:Any specifications on the axle that I need?
My Brother-In-Law works for a trailer parts supply house and he is suggesting an axle that is over rated for this type build. He wants me to use a 3,500lb. axle with elec brakes. I told him that the weight will only be between 800 and 1500 lbs., and that I thought I would need no more than a 2000 or 2500lb. axle.

What are the drawbacks to an over rated axle?

Thanks Droppers!

All a 3500 lb axle will do is add un-needed weight to you trailer. Unless you need the brakes or are planning some serious off-roading stick with the 2k axle.

The 3500 pound axel will also make the trailer ride rougher, and bounce the things in the trailer around more than one designed for the actual (or estmated) trailer weight.

Bandit wrote:What are the drawbacks to an over rated axle?

Having springs which are twice as strong as you want is very much like not having springs at all - you can watch your trailer shake itself back into the individual bits it was made from.....

For a leaf-sprung axle, a 3500lb axle on 2000lb spings is OK - it is used by some folks here who take their teardrop off-road and want the extra spindle strength of the bigger axle.

In general, over-rated suspension components will make the suspension work worse - would you put the suspension off a Peterbilt onto a Cadillac??

Andrew

I'm getting a Dexter TorFlex 2,000lb. axle with 3,500lb. hubs so that I have more wheel choices. I'm getting the axle for $175.00.
I'll order it tomorrow and pick it up next Wednesday.